Crime in Suwannee County decreased by 9.2 percent in 2006 compared with 2005, according to recently released figures from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Suwannee County Sheriff Tony Cameron and Live Oak Police Chief Buddy Williams praised their staffs for the decrease.

“I think it’s made a difference to hire the kind of personnel we’ve been able to hire and put to work,” Cameron said.

“I think it’s because we’re full staffed with two investigators in the department,” Williams said. “We will put forth the best effort to continue fighting crime.”

The sheriff’s office recently applied to the United States Office of Justice Programs for a $13,025 grant for cybercrime and identity theft investigations and training and equipment for officers to assist the sheriff’s Multi-Agency Drug Task Force.

Lafayette County saw the highest crime increase in the state. Crime rose there by 32.1 percent in 2006 over 2005. Crime decreased in Columbia County by 3.3 percent during that same time period but rose in Hamilton County by 13.8 percent. Crime decreased in Madison County by 1.6 percent.

The total crime index rate for Florida decreased by 1 percent in 2006 compared with 2005 but dropped by 38.2 percent compared with 1996. Index offenses are murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.

Compared with 1996, the violent crime rate statewide was down 33.1 percent in 2006 and the non-violent crime rate decreased 39 percent. Violent crimes are murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault.